Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Melanoma

Definition/Diagnosis

Almost everyone has moles; some moles are like beauty marks. They also can put you at risk for melanoma, a fatal skin cancer. Plus, moles may change in size, shape and color as you age. And any change could be a sign of skin cancer. In 1935, the lifetime risk of a Caucasian developing a melanoma was one in 1500 persons. In 2013, that lifetime risk for melanoma has grown to an astounding one in 52 persons!

Fair skin, ultraviolet radiation from recreational sun exposure and tanning beds, thinning of the ozone layer, having more than 30 moles and having irregular looking moles called dysplastic nevi are among the contributing factors for the increased number of cases of melanoma.

In fact, persons with dysplastic nevi have a lifetime risk of one in 10 in developing melanoma and those who have an immediate family member such as a mother or father with a melanoma and who also have dysplastic nevi have a lifetime risk for melanoma of one in one!

Most physicians can recognize a melanoma when it is already advanced and may have spread throughout the body. But that can be too late…

Dr. Snyder’s Approach

It is the dermatologist who is uniquely qualified to recognize subtle changes in a mole in its earliest stages before a mole may become a melanoma or at a stage of a pre-cancer or dysplastic nevus, or recognize a very early melanoma that may be completely curable.

This is why it is extremely important to have your skin regularly evaluated by a board certified dermatologist like Dr. Snyder, who is highly trained and experienced to examine, evaluate and expertly treat your moles for early pre-cancerous or cancerous changes, when they may be caught early enough to be completely curable.

Dr.Snyder’s Treatment

During your consultation and examination of your moles, Dr. Snyder will carefully review your family and personal history, thoroughly explain to you with photos and drawings what signs to look for, review with you the ABCDE’s of melanoma signs and dysplastic nevi, explain how to best prevent the development of melanoma, and use his special training skills to determine and provide state-of-the art treatment when you may need a skin biopsy or complete removal of your suspicious moles. If you have a mole or minor skin growth you would like removed for cosmetic reasons, Dr. Snyder can easily remove them with the latest and safest surgical or laser treatments.